This healthy baked salmon recipe is a riff on my everlasting, always reliable Baked Salmon in Foil. After making it (literally) dozens of times (and, all my other healthy salmon recipes), I can tell you it is the best baked salmon recipe in the world. It’s also incredibly adaptable!
For today’s sweet and spicy baked salmon twist, I took the same core concept of baking salmon in the oven in a large foil a completely different flavor direction.You only need a couple of ingredients to make it, and the resulting spicy baked salmon wow factor will have you returning to the recipe again and again.
Even if you’ve never cooked fish before, this recipe is completely within your reach.
How to Make this Spicy Salmon Recipe
This recipe is embarrassingly easy, and it’s going to make you feel like a pro chef.
I love it for company because I can prep it in advance, it feels special and fancy but isn’t overly showy, and my friends consistently rave.I also love spicy baked salmon for weeknight meals. It takes roughly five minutes to throw together, it’s healthy, and I can use the salmon in a variety of ways, as you’ll see in the serving suggestions below.
The Ingredients
Salmon. Because this recipe is so simple, you can’t hide behind a poorer quality piece of fish. It is always worth it to spend a few dollars more a pound to ensure you have a high-quality fillet. Look for wild caught varieties and avoid farm-raised, fatty Atlantic salmon if you can. These salmon are often fed an artificial diet and are lower in nutrients. They’re also typically more watery.Chipotle Chile Powder. A spice that goes well with salmon, it’s deep, smoky, spicy, and will add incredible dimension to any recipe that calls for it. If you are making this recipe for kids or others who are sensitive to spice, use less.Lime. A fab combo with chipotle, lime cuts through the heat and adds freshness.Brown Sugar. Optional but tasty. I like that it makes this a sweet and spicy salmon recipe (and it tastes spectacular on my Broiled Salmon), so I add 1 tablespoon to the rub.
The Directions
Spicy Salmon Rub Variations
While I’m partial to the original spicy salmon rub used in this recipe, here are a few ideas for how you can add flavor to salmon in other ways:
Indian Spicy Salmon Recipe. Indian flavors go well with salmon. Instead of the spice rub listed in this recipe, use 1 teaspoon curry powder and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Spicy Garlic Salmon. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder to the rub mixture. Cajun Salmon Rub. Omit the chipotle chile powder and half of the salt. The lime is optional or swap for lemon and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. Add 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Japanese Spicy Salmon Recipe. Inspired by a spicy salmon sushi recipe, you can make this soy sauce Teriyaki Salmon, adding a hot element such as red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or another hot sauce of choice to the glaze. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.All Purpose Seasoning. My favorite Salmon Seasoning combination hits the spot every time!
How to Serve Spicy Baked Salmon
In addition to serving this spicy baked salmon on its own, I also love it for:
Spicy Salmon Tacos. Pile inside tortillas and top with the creamy slaw recipe I use in these Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Taco Slaw. Or, give these scrumptious Salmon Tacos a try.Spicy Salmon Bowls. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice with lots of avocado and Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, and diced tomatoes. Chunks of roasted sweet potato would be a tasty add-in too.Spicy Salmon Salad. Serve over chopped romaine with chopped fresh tomatoes and the dressing used for this BLT Chopped Salad (feel free to keep the bacon). It would also be delish over this Grilled Corn Salad.
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate salmon in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To Reheat. Very gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. To Freeze. Freeze salmon in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Baking Sheet. Perfect for this spicy salmon recipe. Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to tell when your salmon is cooked through. Citrus Juicer. The easiest way to juice a lime or lemon.
If you decide to try this spicy baked salmon recipe (or any of the suggested spinoffs!), let me know how it turns out for you in the comments section below. I always love hearing from you!
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